Wheeling and Dealing: The Latest Trends and Toys for the Biking Set

In the battle of the wheels, there’s finally a winner, and it’s 27.5-inchers—by a knockout.

The bike industry has embraced the “new” size, which is said to offer the flickability of the old 26-inch standard and almost as much rollover potential as the larger 29er. It’s the best of both worlds.

Or, if you’re a detractor, it’s a compromise: Critics say it lacks both the agility of the nimble 26er and the obstacle-devouring rollability of the 29er. Be that as it may, bike manufacturers are pushing out 27.5-inchers faster than a Pez distributing its delicious candies. Recent launches include the new GT Sensor, the Turner Flux, the Ibis Mojo HDR and the Santa Cruz Bronson.

The 27.5-inch standard, known in Europe as the 650B, was just one of the trends and toys I spotted hanging out with industry insiders and cycling correspondents at Bike PressCamp in Utah. (Yeah, yeah, I know: It’s a tough job.)

Unlike the early days of 29-inch wheels, when more than a few bike companies were left at the trailhead wondering where everyone went, everyone’s on board this time. Manufacturers are eagerly embracing the wheel size out of the gate. Wheel builders Reynolds, Enve, Easton, and Mavic are all making carbon rims. Tire companies like Continental, Hutchinson, and Maxxis have jumped on the bandwagon as well.

Wheels and tires are two-thirds of the transition, but the final piece of the puzzle is suspension—and here, too, everyone’s gearing up for the middleweight fight. RockShox and Fox have forks entering the ring, and smaller players like Marzocchi, Manitou and SR Suntour are in the game, too.

That isn’t to say 29ers are down for the count. Trek and Specialized have new big-wheeled bikes coming next year, joining rigs like the Ibis Ripley and Niner’s new Rip 9. In fact, the only thing we didn’t see much of at PressCamp was the 26er.

The other big trend we’re seeing is road bikes that take disc brakes. And with the recent release of SRAM disc brake ready Red gruppo there is no stopping the trend. As anyone who’s spent time on dirt knows, disc brakes offer vastly superior stopping power in all conditions, and all but eliminate the concern of overheating your rims on long descents. Traditionalists may scoff, but we’re already seeing such bikes from scrappy upstart Culprit, as well as established brands like Specialized, Bianchi, and Colnago.

Similarly, Orbea has announced the Avant, which can handle big, fat tires, fenders and a rack. That makes it ready to roll over just about any type of road you can find—which seems pretty awesome. The bike industry is pretty convinced we are all going to want a do-it-all “gravel bike” in our stable. (Or at least it’s convinced that it can convince you of that fact.)

Here’s more of the cool stuff we saw at PressCamp.

Above: Fezzari Timp Peak, $5,399

Fezzari is the biggest little bike company you’ve never heard of. This Salt Lake City outfit sells directly to consumers, and it has a fiercely loyal following. According to the company, 57 percent of its sales are return customers or referrals from satisfied shoppers.

The Timp Peak offers a full carbon frame and suspension rocker, full Shimano XT component group and a drop-sucking 6-inches of travel. And you know it’s got the wheel size du jour, 27.5. All for an impressive $5399.

Capo Padrone HiVis Wind Vest, $225

The folks at Capo not only want you to look sharp, feel good and to go fast but, with the introduction of its new HiVis line, be seen.

If you often find yourself in the saddle before the sun peaks over the horizon or after it dips below it, you owe it to yourself to invest in this vest. When light hits it, this garment lights up like a slot machine hitting the jackpot.

And in true Capo style, the HiViz is available in a jersey and bibs as well.

Answers Gentleman’s Collection, $90

If you like to rip up the downhill course then ride your long-travel steed to the cafe for a espresso and a biscotti, you definitely need a set of bars from the gentleman’s collection. These 780mm beauties come in houndstooth, plaid flannel, paisley daydream or herringbone.

The pattern is hard anodized, so you don’t have to worry about scratching your bars. These babies will up your game at the trailhead and at the coffee stop.

Kali Shiva, $449

You may not be bad ass, but you will look bad ass in Kali’s new Shiva.

Kali’s latest helmet weighs less than 1000 grams and is DOT approved, so it should be a big hit -- and be able to sustain one. The helmet uses what Kali calls Composite Fusion Three technology to make a lighter, but more protective, helmet that looks mean.

Knog Milkman lock, $24.95

The company has joined forces with Australia's Globe skateboards to showcase its lock technology and increase its hipster cred. Not only does this board come with Knog’s Milkman lock, but it also features one of their red blinking lights on the rear truck. The board will be available here in the States come winter.

Niner ROS, $899 (frame)

Officially, Niner’s new bike is called ROS9, or Roots of Steel. But we like the unofficial name, Ride Over Shit, much better.

For all your talk of carbon this and titanium that, steel is real, and this rig is made of double-butted chromoly tubing. The ROS borrows a lot of its design from Niner’s popular SIR and was designed with fun in mind. It’s got super-short chainstays, a slack head tube angle and a biocentric bottom bracket that lets you run a single speed, 1x11 or conventional drivetrain. I love the internally routed dropper post and integrated bashguard.

If you grew up riding BMX bikes and love flowing trails with lots of jumps, this is your bike. It’s ready to do some seriously sick shit.

Dahon Lockers

There is no doubt getting around on a bike is both efficient and fun, but getting your bike to where you want to ride can be a royal pain. Dahon wants to fix this.

The company known for its folders is working with bestlockers.com to have its folders waiting for you at hotels, college campuses and other locations people need a convenient way of getting about. Planning is still in the early stages, but everyone involves sees a day when you reserve a bike online and collect it from a locker where you can also store stuff while you’re out and about. There are still about a gazillion details to work out, but Dahon hopes to roll it out later this year.

Smith Masterminds, $119

With its RX, Sun RX and Sports RX lines of sunglasses, Smith has you covered with all the eyewear you could possibly need, without making you look like an insect or Bono.

I like the Masterminds, which come in a myriad of combinations and absolutely no petroleum products in the frames. And those rubber nose and temple pads are handy in case exercise breaks out.

Manitou Dorado Pro, $1,600

We haven’t seen too many Mantiou in the wild in recent years, but I think that's about to change with the launch of its redesigned line of shocks. The revamped Dorado, with its impressive 203mm of travel, full air spring and hydraulic bottom-out technology, is ready for anything you throw it at. Of course it’s also available for 27.5-inch wheels, so mount this baby on your rig and huck yourself off something.

Guru Bike Fit

If you’re in the market for a new ride but fear the onslaught of “expert” opinions on achieving the best fit or which bike to buy, look for a shop with a Guru Experience fit machine. In a mere 20 minutes you’ll have an educated estimation of the ideal frame size, not to mention the best crank arm length, saddle width, and handlebar size.

The fit “bike” is designed to allow handlebar swaps, saddle switching, and crank arm length adjustments in a flash. The fitter then makes on-the-fly adjustments to find a sweet spot for your position. The theory is “fit first, bike second”—allowing you make smarter decisions on which bike is right for you.

Sugoi RSX NeoShell Jacket, $300

Sure, it’s summertime, but it is never to early to prepare for the cooler days of fall and the cold, dark days of winter. Sugoi has joined Polartec to create a pair of cold weather jackets, one for roadies and one for dirt dogs.

The road version has rear pockets and no hood. The mountain version comes with a hood and angled pockets so you can still get at your stuff even when wearing a hydration pack. The jacket is 100 percent waterproof but remarkably breathable. Our source at Sugoi has logged countless miles slogging through Vancouver rain and assures us this jacket keeps you warm and dry.

Hutchinson Sector 28, $109.95

Originally intended as a professionals only race tire for use on the grueling cobblestone-pocked roads of the Spring Classics, the Hutchinson Sector 28 was just to good not to share with everyone else.

It’s a road tubeless tire, but must be run with sealant (a la the conventional mountain bike setup), and at 28mm is ready for whatever your adventure ride can throw at it. At lower air pressure, and no concern about pinch flats, it makes gravel rides feel all the safer.